Virgil R. Martin, 86, of Urbana passed away peacefully surrounded by family at 2:40am on April 25, 2025 at Carle Foundation Hospital.
Visitation will be held from 9-11AM, Tuesday, April 29, 2025 at the Renner-Wikoff Chapel, 1900 S. Philo Road, Urbana.  The funeral service will be at 11:00 AM with burial to follow at Yearsley Cemetery, Urbana.
Virgil was born in Newman, IL to Roy and Margaret Dague Martin.  They preceded him in death.
He is survived by his wife, Amy Woller Martin, Urbana, IL, two daughters, Karma (Mike) Skinner, Urbana, IL, and Angela (Mike) Davis of Indianapolis, IN, and three stepchildren Ceselie (Danny) Roberts, Urbana, IL, LaDonna (Boyd) Burroughs, Harlowton, MT, and Ernie (Alicia) Northen, St. Joseph, IL.  He is also survived by 12 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren, plus one more on the way.  One grandson, Matthew Burroughs, preceded him in death.
Virgil was the oldest of seven siblings: Joan (Kirk) Beyers, both deceased, Ellen (Larry, deceased) Metler, Godfrey, IL, Ralph (Michelle) Martin, Broadlands, IL, Peggy (Dave) Ropiequet, Mattoon, IL, Jack (Mary Kay) Martin, Seymour, WI, and Debbie (Larry) LeCrone, Sidney, IL.
Virgil was raised on farms in rural central Illinois, ending up in Sidney, and never got all the dirt out from under his fingernails.  He graduated from Unity High School in 1956.  Upon graduation, he worked on construction of Unity High School and served in the Illinois National Guard. He then began working for the University of Illinois Visual Aid Services where he oversaw the care and lending of the largest film library in the country.  He retired in 1991.
He was most proud of being the world's greatest PaPa.  Virgil was a tremendous sports fan, cheering on the Fighting Illini and the St. Louis Cardinals, win or lose.  He was also a member of the C-U Elks Lodge #2497.
Donations may be made in Virgil's name to the Illinois Elks Children's Care Program at www.illinoiselksccc.org or Developmental Services Center (DSC) in Champaign at www.dsc-illinois.org.